Brush fire burns nearly 100 acres in Franklin Twp.

FRANKLIN TWP. –- In a scene evocative of wildfires in the western United States, a brush fire raged across nearly 100 acres of fields and forests Thursday afternoon in Franklin Township.

Franklin Assistant Fire Chief Jon Sutherland said the fire broke out around 2:15 p.m. in a shed at 815 Route 288 in the township and spread to the surrounding woods. It burned along the treeline behind a row of houses in the area where, many years ago, the old Blue Sky Drive-in had been located.

The blaze raged to within a few hundred feet of several homes, but did not damage any structures.

Two firefighters were treated at Ellwood City for heat-related injuries, but Sutherland said the injuries were not life-threatening.

Because the fire originated in a remote area well off Route 288, with access only by a private road, Sutherland said the distance posed a challenge. Firefighters had to stretch hoses to their limits, and they also had to use 5-gallon back-mounted tanks to put out hot spots.

The blaze broke out at an inopportune time, manpower-wise, Sutherland said, because volunteer firefighters who work daylight shifts weren’t home yet, and most second-turn employees had already left their work.

Several departments from Lawrence and Beaver counties responded to the fire, including Ellwood City, Zelienople, Conway, Harmony, Wurtemburg-Perry Township, Chewton, Big Knob, and Wayne, Shenango, North Sewickley and Dougherty townships. Lawrence County Emergency Management contributed its command vehicle to the effort.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.